Week 13: Feedback

Hey guys,

The semester is coming to an end, and so ethnobotany class is finishing up. Just to let you guys know - I will be grading 10 posts on the blog. So this week and last week will be extra credit posting that can be used to make up for earlier weeks where you might have missed a post. But please don't let that stop you from writing this week!

I would like some feedback for myself and Dr. Velasquez Runk about the class. What did you like about the class? Do you think having assignments on this blog was a good activity? Did you learn things from each other, or was the blog just an annoying hassle? What was your favorite lab? Least favorite? What could we do better next time? I know a few of our labs haven't gone perfectly, and we will work on that. You don't have to answer all of these questions, but I would like some feedback about the class.

Personally, I have very much enjoyed reading all of your responses on the blog. It allowed me to get to know all of you better, and learn some cool things about different plants. I have had fun interacting with all of you in this class.

Good luck with all you end of semester stuff. See you in the last week of class!

-Sam

Week 12: Flowering Sit Spots

Hey Everyone,

Spring is here and everything outside is flowering! Bees and insects are buzzing about. Birds are chirping away. So please return to your sit spot and describe the changes that spring is bringing. Have a great weekend everyone!

-Sam

Week 11: Landscape Plants

Hello Everyone,

On Monday I will be speaking about American landscapes, focusing on turfgrass and the lawn. To begin thinking about our landscapes I am focusing this week on landscape plants. So, imagine that in the future you have a home or some land. Describe a plant that you would like to have in your landscape, and why. This is very open - it can be a tree, shrub, herb, foodplant, etc. And the reasons can vary as well: aesthetics, medicinal, or maybe you have memories of certain plants.

I would like to have a Japanese Maple. I find these beautiful. Their architecture is graceful, often many trunks emerge from the base, creating a hemisphere of shade. There are many varieties, but often the leaves turn dramatic red and burgundy in the fall.

I look forward to seeing your responses, and don't forget to pick a plant for the Ethnobotanical Garden project (if you haven't already).

-Sam